First dark matter search using WINERED spectrograph sets new lifetime constraints

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University , PhotoCross Co. Ltd , Kyoto Sangyo University and other collaborating institutions recently released the findings of the first search for dark matter that relied on data collected by WINERED, a near-infrared and high-dispersion spectrograph mounted on a large telescope in Chile .

Their paper, published in Physical Review Letters , sets the most stringent constraints to date on the lifetime of dark matter particles with masses between 1.8 and 2.7 eV.

"The key idea is to relax the spatial resolution requirements—which are not as critical for dark matter searches—thus allowing the instrument to be installed on a less competitive small-aperture telescope, while still achieving sensitivity comparable to that of WINERED@Magellan for dark matter detection under identical observational conditions. "If realized, this approach could secure considerably more observation time and provide access to a wider range of targets, thereby enhancing our dark matter search capabilities." 2025 Science X Network .